Chapter 442
The news of Nicolas’s demotion was nothing short of a thunderbolt for the Monson family.
As Assistant Minister of the Justice Ministry, he had been climbing the official ranks smoothly, his career on a meteoric rise.
But now, because of Athena, he had been harshly reprimanded by the King. It was a devastating blow to his pride and position.
To make matters worse, Fiona was seeking a mutual separation. With everything piling up, Nicolas soon fell ill.
He was in terrible shape, burning with a fever that wouldn’t break.
Even after forcing down medicinal decoctions, there was no improvement. The maids could only sponge his body over and over with warm towels in an attempt to reduce the fever.
Eloise was beside herself with worry. What infuriated her even more was that Fiona, despite Nicolas being this ill, hadn’t shown her face even once.
She summoned Fiona and demanded that she fulfill her duties as a wife and take care of Nicolas.
Fiona, her expression cold, replied, “Cedric’s health is already fragile. If I catch the illness and pass it on to the child, what then? ”
It was clearly an excuse, but also not entirely wrong. Cedric couldn’t afford to be exposed to illness again.
Eloise’s original intention had been to use this situation to help mend the couple’s strained relationship. She thought that if they spent time together, they could resolve their differences.
But with the child’s health at stake, she could only relent and let Fiona leave again.
Tomorrow, Willow would return home to visit after her wedding, and Eloise had to prepare a return banquet. So many things were demanding her attention that she barely had a moment to rest.
Thinking of her daughter now married into the Osborne family, Eloise’s heart ached. ‘How is Willow doing? Have her in- laws treated her poorly? Has her leg healed yet? And what about the case at the Justice Ministry. Has it finally been resolved?‘ she wondered.
The Osborne Residence.
Upon Michael’s return to the residence, Kelsey immediately summoned the house physician.
The maids helped remove his outer garments, revealing his back. His back was bloody, bruised, and absolutely horrifying to
see.
The physician looked at the wounds and couldn’t help but respect him. “Lord Osborne, to have returned on your own in such condition, I truly admire you p>
Anyone else would have collapsed long ago. Only someone with Michael’s strength could have endured this long.
“Lord Osborne, please bear with me. I will apply the medicine right away p>
Lying on his stomach, Michael replied indifferently, “Go ahead p>
Kelsey’s heart twisted in pain at the sight of her son’s injuries.
1/2
Thinking of everything that had happened on the wedding day, she grumbled angrily, “Everything went wrong from the moment you left the house. Why is our family so unlucky p>
Though she didn’t say it outright, anyone could tell that she was blaming Willow.
Ever since she had entered the Osborne family, misfortunes had kept piling up.
Michael looked at her with displeasure. “Mother, there’s no need to blame others. It was all an accident p>
He wasn’t exactly defending Willow. He just felt it was unfair to blame her for everything.
Kelsey frowned and said sarcastically, “You’ve already sided with your wife. I didn’t even say much, and you’re already jumping to defend her p>
Michael didn’t want to argue. He closed his eyes and fell silent.
Just then, a gentle voice came from outside the room. “Honey p>
Willow entered, dressed in gold and fine silks, looking elegant and noble. Behind her were seven or eight maids and servants helping her in.
Her face was full of anxiety, eyes red with worry. Before she even stepped in fully, she had already begun to cry.
Kelsey, already fuming, snapped at Willow. “Michael isn’t dead yet! What’s with all this carrying on p>
Willow’s sobbing stopped abruptly. She looked helplessly at Kelsey and said pitifully, “I’m just worried about my husband. I didn’t mean to cause offense p>
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.